System and method for autonomous dynamic provisioning

ABSTRACT

An industrial automation gateway for autonomous dynamic provisioning is provided. The industrial automation gateway includes a cloud communication interface coupled with, and configured for communication with, a cloud automation facility, and a processor coupled with the cloud communication interface. The processor is configured to determine a current configuration of the industrial automation gateway, and request a configuration update from the cloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface. The processor is also configured to receive the configuration update from the cloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface, and implement the configuration update within the industrial automation gateway.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application hereby claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,005, titled “INDUSTRIALAUTOMATION NODE AND METHOD”, filed on Jun. 23, 2014 and which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Industrial automation is used to control machines and processes inmanufacturing. Automated machines commonly control the handling ofcomponents, sub-components, and raw materials, perform fabricationprocesses, testing, product handling, packaging, and shipping.Industrial automation enables precise control of industrial processes,achievement of smaller tolerances and better quality products, higherproduction outputs, and increased worker safety and productivity.

Industrial automation installations comprise multiple computerizeddevices that control industrial machines and industrial processes. Thecomponents of an industrial automation installation must work togetherin a coordinated fashion, performing operations such as exchanging data,controlling the timing and scheduling of processes, providinginformation to operators or technicians, and receiving operator inputs.

Because of the large number of system variables that must be monitoredand controlled, industrial automation systems often generate vastamounts of data. In addition to production statistics, data relating tomachine health, alarm status, operator feedback, electrical ormechanical load, and the like are often monitored. The data is generatedby the many industrial devices that can make up a given automationsystem, including industrial controllers and associated I/O, telemetrydevices, motion control devices, valves, conveyors, raw materialhandling systems, product handling systems, visualization applications,traceability systems, and the like. Moreover, such industrial facilitiescan operate on a twenty-four hour basis, wherein automation systems cangenerate a vast amount of data.

In addition, industrial automation monitoring has evolved frommonitoring devices in an industrial plant to include monitoring devicesat remote sites, such as mobile or temporary facilities. Industrialautomation monitoring can be used for drilling, mining, and otherresource extraction operations. Industrial automation monitoring can beused in monitoring water treatment facilities or in monitoring ofenvironmental conditions. Industrial automation monitoring can be usedto monitor the health and operation of industrial automation devicesincluding field equipment.

Industrial automation devices can generate industrial automation data atmultiple, geographically disparate locations. The industrial automationdata can be collected via the cloud, wherein industrial automation datacan be accumulated and made available to a user or users via the cloud.Where the industrial automation devices are distributed geographically,the cloud advantageously provides a facility for accessing data frommultiple, distributed industrial automation devices.

Overview

In an embodiment, an industrial automation gateway for autonomousdynamic provisioning is provided. The industrial automation gatewayincludes a cloud communication interface coupled with, and configuredfor communication with, a cloud automation facility, and a processorcoupled with the cloud communication interface. The processor isconfigured to determine a current configuration of the industrialautomation gateway, and request a configuration update from the cloudautomation facility through the cloud communication interface. Theprocessor is also configured to receive the configuration update fromthe cloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface,and implement the configuration update within the industrial automationgateway.

In another embodiment, a method for autonomous dynamic provisioningwithin an industrial automation gateway is provided. The method includesdetermining a current configuration of the industrial automationgateway, and requesting a configuration update from a cloud automationfacility through a cloud communication interface. The method alsoincludes receiving the configuration update from the cloud automationfacility through the cloud communication interface, and implementing theconfiguration update within the industrial automation gateway.

In a further embodiment, one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia having stored thereon program instructions to facilitateautonomous dynamic provisioning within an industrial automation gatewayis provided. The program instructions, when executed by a computingsystem, direct the computing system to at least determine a currentconfiguration of the industrial automation gateway, and request aconfiguration update from a cloud automation facility through a cloudcommunication interface. The program instructions also direct thecomputing system to receive the configuration update from the cloudautomation facility through the cloud communication interface, andimplement the configuration update within the industrial automationgateway.

This Overview is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the TechnicalDisclosure. It should be understood that this Overview is not intendedto identify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary industrial automation system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation of anindustrial automation gateway.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system configured tooperate as an industrial automation gateway.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation of anindustrial automation gateway in another example.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation of anindustrial automation gateway in further example.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation of anindustrial automation gateway in still another example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and associated drawings teach the best mode ofthe invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects of the best mode may be simplified or omitted. Thefollowing claims specify the scope of the invention. Some aspects of thebest mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified bythe claims. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate variationsfrom the best mode that fall within the scope of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below canbe combined in various ways to form multiple variations of theinvention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specificexamples described below, but only by claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary industrial automation node 110. Industrialautomation node 110 is part of an industrial automation system 100, withthe industrial automation system 100 further including cloud 140 andcloud automation facility 150. Industrial automation node 110 is incommunication with cloud 140. Industrial automation node 110communicates continuously, periodically, or intermittently with cloud140. Industrial automation node 110 communicates with cloud 140 via awired or wireless communication channel. Industrial automation node 110in some examples communicates with cloud 140 via a cellularcommunication link and exchanges communications with cloud 140 via acellular telephone communication protocol. In such an example,industrial automation node 110 has an account with a cellular provider.

Industrial automation node 110 in some examples is located in amanufacturing plant or other industrial facility. Alternatively, inother examples industrial automation node 110 is remotely located andcomprises a small facility, a temporary facility, a mobile facility, orother self-contained facility. In other examples, industrial automationnode 110 is substantially stationary or is fixed in location.

Industrial automation node 110 performs some manner of industrialautomation operation or operations. Industrial automation node 110generates and/or gathers industrial automation data. Industrialautomation data can include timestamps that indicate when data portionswere generated or collected. Industrial automation node 110 transfersthe industrial automation data to cloud 140 for storage, analysis, andother uses. Industrial automation node 110 further transfers operationalinformation to cloud 140 in some examples, including operational statusand operational characteristic. Industrial automation node 110 in someexamples receives information from cloud 140, including programming,measurement values or other information needed for operation ofindustrial automation node 110, requests for operational status andoperational characteristics from industrial automation node 110, andother information.

Industrial automation node 110 relays industrial automation data tocloud automation facility 150. Industrial automation node 110 may alsoaccumulate, process, filter, compress, or otherwise modify theindustrial automation data before relaying it to cloud automationfacility 150. In addition, industrial automation node 110 mayperiodically transfer a heartbeat message to cloud automation facility150.

Cloud 140 comprises a network or association of connected computerdevices and digital electronic resources that can be used to performprocessing and to relay communications. The term “cloud” is a shorthandreference to cloud computing infrastructure. The cloud includes one ormore communication networks, such as the Internet, for example, and canfurther include portions of an industrial communications network, suchas a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). In cloudcomputing, a computing process may run on one or many connected cloudcomputers at the same time. In cloud computing, the cloud can host andrun an application anywhere in the world. Further, cloud 140 enablesaccess to the application from anywhere.

Cloud 140 includes one or more data storage facilities for storingreceived industrial automation data in some examples. Cloud 140 receivesindustrial automation data from industrial automation node 110 andaccumulates and stores the industrial automation data. Cloud 140 in someexamples processes and/or analyzes the industrial automation data.

Cloud automation facility 150 is configured to communicate withindustrial automation node 110 via cloud 140 and provide cloud servicesto industrial automation node 110. Cloud services can include, but arenot limited to, data storage, data analysis, control applications,visualization applications such as cloud-based Human-Machine Interfaces(HMIs), reporting applications, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)applications, notification services, or other such applications.

Cloud automation facility 150 is configured to obtain industrialautomation data of industrial automation node 110 via cloud 140. Inaddition, cloud automation facility 150 stores and providesconfiguration information to industrial automation node 110. Cloudautomation facility 150 includes configuration library 152 that storesconfiguration information for one or more industrial automation nodes110. Configuration library 152 is used to configure industrialautomation nodes 110. Configuration library 152 can be used to configurea large variety of industrial automation devices 130-134. Configurationlibrary 152 in some examples stores configuration information for eachindustrial automation device 130-134 of industrial automation node 110.Alternatively, in other examples configuration library 152 storesconfiguration information for all possible industrial automation devices130-134 that could be used by industrial automation node 110.Configuration library 152 stores multiple versions of each configurationinformation item in some examples. Configuration library 152 receivesupdates of configuration information and provides the updatedconfiguration information to industrial automation nodes 110.

Industrial automation node 110 in the example shown includes one or moreindustrial automation devices 130-134 and industrial automation gateway120 coupled to the one or more industrial automation devices 130-134.The one or more industrial automation devices 130-134 perform industrialautomation operations. The one or more industrial automation devices130-134 can be selected and included in industrial automation node 110to perform specific automation tasks.

Industrial automation node 110 interacts with cloud-based computingservices that are hosted by cloud 140. The cloud platform comprisesinfrastructure that allows shared computing services to be accessed andutilized by cloud-capable devices. The cloud platform can be a publiccloud that is accessible via the Internet by devices having Internetconnectivity and appropriate authorizations to utilizecommercially-available communication services. In some examples, accessto the cloud platform and associated services can be provided tocustomers as subscription services.

Providing the one or more industrial automation devices 130-134 withcloud capability can offer a number of advantages. Cloud-based storagecan be easily scaled to accommodate the large quantities of data thatcan be generated daily by an industrial automation enterprise. Moreover,multiple industrial automation facilities at different geographicallocations can migrate their respective automation data to the cloud 140for aggregation, collation, collective analysis, and enterprise-levelreporting without the need to establish a private network between thefacilities.

Cloud-based diagnostic applications can monitor the health of respectiveautomation systems or their associated industrial devices across anentire plant, or across multiple industrial automation facilities.Cloud-based control applications can be used to track a unit of product(or a unit or units of raw materials) through stages of production,collecting data for each unit at each stage.

Industrial automation node 110 can accept a number of and variety ofindustrial automation devices 130-134. The one or more industrialautomation devices 130-134 can be installed to and removed fromindustrial automation node 110 in some examples. The one or moreindustrial automation devices 130-134 in some examples comprise batchcontrol systems, continuous control systems, or discrete controlsystems. The one or more industrial automation devices 130-134 caninclude devices such as industrial controllers (e.g., programmable logiccontrollers or other types of programmable automation controllers),field devices such as sensors, meters, valves, motor drives, actuators,HMIs, industrial robots, barcode markers and readers, vision systemdevices, welders, or other such industrial devices.

Industrial automation gateway 120 includes cloud communication interface122 and industrial communication interface 124. Cloud communicationinterface 122 is configured to communicate with cloud 140. Industrialcommunication interface 124 is configured to communicate with the one ormore industrial automation devices 130-134.

Industrial communication interface 124 facilitates monitoring andcontrol of a process or processes. Industrial communication interface124 exchanges data with the one or more industrial automation devices130-134 using a communication system such as native hardwired I/O or viaa plant network such as Ethernet/IP, Data Highway Plus, ControlNet,Devicenet, or the like. Industrial communication interface 124 typicallyreceives any combination of digital or analog signals from the one ormore industrial automation devices 130-134 indicating a current state ofthe one or more industrial automation devices 130-134 and associatedprocesses.

Cloud communication interface 122 comprises a communication interfacethat exchanges communications with cloud 140. Cloud communicationinterface 122 uses any suitable communication protocol. Cloudcommunication interface 122 performs wired and/or wirelesscommunications with cloud 140, as needed. Cloud communication interface122 can employ one or more different types of communications modules toconnect with mobile-phone carriers, Wi-Fi providers, and othercommunications-services providers from locations in which wirelessservice can be obtained. Cloud communication interface 122 in someexamples performs wireless communications with cloud 140 using acellular communications protocol, including cellular communicationsprotocols such as 2G (second generation)/CDMA, 3G/LTE, 4G, 5G, or anyother suitable cellular telephone communication protocol. Alternatively,cloud communication interface 122 uses other suitable wirelesscommunication protocols. By employing cloud communication interface 122,cloud-computing services can be extended into many different,geographically dispersed areas and to a variety of technologies and usesfor which traditional wireless-service subscriptions would not beeconomically feasible.

Industrial automation gateway 120 can transfer substantially real-timeindustrial automation data to cloud 140. However, if industrialautomation gateway 120 determines that communications are not possible,or if industrial automation gateway 120 determines that it is not timefor an industrial automation data upload, industrial automation gateway120 can transfer bulk industrial automation data to cloud 140. In such asituation, industrial automation gateway 120 enters a store-and-forwardmode, wherein industrial automation node 110 accumulates industrialautomation data and transfers the accumulated industrial automation datato cloud 140 at predetermined time periods.

Industrial automation gateway 120 in some examples includes multiplecommunication ports. Industrial automation gateway 120 in some examplesincludes wired and wireless communication ports. Consequently,industrial automation gateway 120 may be able to communicate with cloud140 in various ways and using more than one communication protocol orscheme.

In some examples, industrial automation gateway 120 provides security.Industrial automation gateway 120 can provide access control, screeningor limiting communications. Industrial automation gateway 120 canencrypt the industrial automation data being transferred to cloud 140.

Industrial automation gateway 120 in some examples is a small footprintdevice, such as the netbiter™ remote communication gateway, availablefrom HMS Industrial Networks. The netbiter™ remote communication gatewayincludes GSM/GPRS cellular communication capability and includesEthernet wired communication capability. Industrial automation gateway120 in some examples has a small physical size, uses a low amount ofelectrical energy, performs as little processing or communicating asneeded, adds minimal latency to data transfers or operations inindustrial automation node 110, or a combination of these factors, forexample.

Industrial automation gateway 120 comprises a fixed hardware andsoftware in some examples. Alternatively, industrial automation gateway120 comprises a communication card or other communication device thatcan be installed into and removed from industrial automation node 110.Corresponding gateway software can be obtained by industrial automationnode 110 for a current gateway device or for a current gateway deviceformat/protocol.

In some examples, the software for industrial automation gateway 120 isconfigurable, such as by cloud 140 or by cloud automation facility 150.Further, the gateway software can be dynamically updated or modified.

Industrial automation gateway 120 obtains and loads suitable dataplug-ins or configurations for the one or more industrial automationdevices 130-134. The data plug-ins or configurations comprise plug-insfor receiving industrial automation data from the one or more industrialautomation devices 130-134. Industrial automation gateway 120 mayacquire one or more data plug-in or configuration for each industrialautomation device 130-134. The data plug-ins or configurations operateto receive the industrial automation data in a format of thecorresponding industrial automation device 130-134. The data plug-inscan process or condition the industrial automation data. The dataplug-ins can transform the industrial automation data. Other uses forthe data plug-ins are contemplated and are within the scope of thedescription and claims. However, the data plug-ins do not generate theindustrial automation data.

Industrial automation gateway 120 in some examples stores a set, subset,or sets of plug-ins or configurations that are anticipated to be neededin industrial automation node 110. Industrial automation gateway 120 maystore more plug-ins and configurations than needed, including plug-insand configurations that may be needed for future devices or futureoperations. Alternatively, in other examples, industrial automationgateway 120 obtains and installs only the needed data plug-ins andconfigurations, wherein unneeded data plug-ins and configurations arenot present in industrial automation node 110.

Industrial automation gateway 120 in some examples includesconfiguration information in messages or data that is sent to cloud 140.Further, cloud 140 (or cloud automation facility 150) in some examplessends available configuration version information to industrialautomation gateway 120. As a result, industrial automation gateway 120can determine that a newer configuration version is available and cansubsequently request the newer configuration version from cloud 140 orfrom cloud automation facility 150.

In some examples, industrial automation gateway 120 is configured torequest a configuration update from cloud 140 or cloud automationfacility 150, with the request including information including a currentconfiguration 126 (and can include other information such as informationabout the one or more installed industrial automation devices 130-134),receive a configuration update 128 in response, if a configurationupdate 128 is needed or warranted, and implement the receivedconfiguration update 128.

In some examples, industrial automation node 110 comprises one or moreindustrial automation devices 130-134 configured to generate industrialautomation and an industrial automation gateway 120 in communicationwith the one or more industrial automation devices 130-134 and incommunication with a cloud automation facility 150, with industrialautomation gateway 120 configured to determine a current configuration126 of the gateway 120, transfer the current configuration 126 to cloudautomation facility 150, and receive and implement a configurationupdate 128 from cloud automation facility 150. In some examples,industrial automation node 110 performs a configuration update withoutany operator inputs.

In some examples, the configuration information comprises communicationparameters, data collection parameters, and data conditioningparameters. The communication parameters define communicationscharacteristics for industrial automation node 110, such ascommunication times/intervals, communication types/protocols, a numberof stored messages per upload package, a maximum upload frequency and/orbandwidth limits, and a size or time limit for storing industrialautomation data in a disconnected state, for example. The datacollection parameters define data collection parameters for the one ormore industrial automation devices 130-134 of industrial automation node110, such as data to be collected and tags or alarms to be collectedfrom specific industrial automation devices 130-134, and how often datais to be collected, for example. The data conditioning parameters definedata conditioning operations to be performed, such as filtering,compression, transformation, etc. It should be understood thatadditional communication parameters, data collection parameters, anddata conditioning parameters are contemplated and are within the scopeof the description and claims.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation ofindustrial automation gateway 120. In this example, industrialautomation gateway 120 determines a current configuration 126 ofindustrial automation gateway 120, (operation 200). Industrialautomation gateway 120 then requests a configuration update from cloudautomation facility 150 through cloud communication interface 122 andthe cloud 140, (operation 202).

Industrial automation gateway 120 receives configuration update 128 fromcloud automation facility 150 through the cloud 140 and cloudcommunication interface 122, (operation 204). Industrial automationgateway 120 implements configuration update 128 within industrialautomation gateway 120, (operation 206).

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system configured tooperate as an industrial automation gateway 300, such as industrialautomation gateway 120 from FIG. 1.

Industrial automation node 300 includes cloud communication interface304, industrial communication interface 306, processor 308 coupled tocloud communication interface 304 and to industrial communicationinterface 306, and a hardware memory 310 coupled to processor 308.Memory 310 can be separate from or included in processor 308.

The hardware memory 310 in the example shown includes software 312. Insome examples, software 312 comprises operating instructions thatconfigure the industrial automation gateway 300, when executed by theindustrial automation gateway 300 in general or processor 308 inparticular, to direct industrial automation gateway 300 to performindustrial automation node operations. Other data, such as operationaldata, may also be stored in hardware memory 310. The software 312 in oneexample comprises at least a configuration update module 314 and aconfiguration monitoring module 316. The configuration update module 314performs configuration updates of the industrial automation gateway 300in some examples. The configuration monitoring module performs eventmonitoring in the industrial automation devices 330-336 in someexamples.

Processor 308 may comprise a microprocessor and other circuitry thatretrieves and executes software 312 from hardware memory 310. Processor308 may be implemented within a single processing device, but may alsobe distributed across multiple processing devices or sub-systems thatcooperate in executing program instructions. Examples of processor 308include general purpose central processing units, application specificprocessors, and logic devices, as well as any other type of processingdevice, combinations, or variations.

Hardware memory 310 may comprise any computer readable storage mediareadable by processor 308 and capable of storing software 312. Hardwarememory 310 may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Hardware memory 310 may be independentfrom or integrated into processor 308. Hardware memory 310 can compriseadditional elements, such as a memory controller, capable ofcommunicating with processor 308. Examples of storage media includerandom access memory, read only memory, magnetic disks, optical disks,flash memory, virtual memory and non-virtual memory, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other suitable storage media. In no case is the storage media apropagated signal.

In addition to storage media, in some implementations hardware memory310 may also include communication media over which software 312 may becommunicated internally or externally. Hardware memory 310 may beimplemented as a single storage device but may also be implementedacross multiple storage devices or sub-systems co-located or distributedrelative to each other. Hardware memory 310 may comprise additionalelements capable of communicating with processor 308 or possibly othersystems.

Software 312 may be implemented in program instructions and among otherfunctions and may, when executed by processor 308, direct processor 308to operate as described herein. In particular, the program instructionsmay include various components or modules that cooperate or otherwiseinteract to implement at least a portion of industrial automationgateway 300. The various components or modules may be embodied incompiled or interpreted instructions or in some other variation orcombination of instructions. The various components or modules may beexecuted in a synchronous or asynchronous manner, in a serial or inparallel, in a single threaded environment or multi-threaded, or inaccordance with any other suitable execution paradigm, variation, orcombination thereof. Software 312 in the examples comprises computerprograms, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processinginstructions. Software 312 may include an operating system, utilities,drivers, network interfaces, applications, virtual machines, or someother type of software. Software 312 may include additional processes,programs, or components, such as operating system software or otherapplication software. Software 312 may also comprise firmware or someother form of machine-readable processing instructions executable byprocessor 308.

In general, software 312, when loaded into processor 308 and executed,may transform a suitable apparatus, system, or device from ageneral-purpose computing system into a special-purpose computing systemcustomized to perform a configuration update or perform eventmonitoring, among other operations. Indeed, encoding software 312 on thememory 310 may transform the physical structure of the memory 310. Thespecific transformation of the physical structure may depend on variousfactors in different implementations of this description. Examples ofsuch factors may include, but are not limited to the technology used toimplement the storage media of the memory 310 and whether thecomputer-storage media are characterized as primary or secondarystorage, as well as other factors.

In addition to software 312, memory 310 comprises dynamic softwarecontainer 318 that allows new software components with additionalfunctionality to be downloaded when the cloud application detects a newconfiguration. Operation of dynamic software container 318 is furtherillustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 4. These new gateway components arebound into the currently running system so as to dynamically enhance itsoperation without interruption. In this way, industrial automationgateway 300 can automatically extend its capabilities to speak newprotocols and connect new industrial automation devices 330-336 added bythe industrial customer on premises. This operation of industrialautomation gateway 300 is further illustrated by the flowchart of FIG.6.

Industrial automation gateway 300 can be configured to wake up anddiscover any industrial automation devices 330-336 located on its localLAN network. In this way, devices may not only be discovered, but byusing CIP messages industrial automation gateway 300 can query the exactproduct identification and its configuration. This map of local devices330-336 and their configuration can then be communicated by industrialautomation gateway 300 to cloud automation facility 150 to update thecloud model for these devices 330-336. This model is then used toconstruct dashboards, reports, and analytics that will consume real-timeoperational data conveyed from these devices 330-336 to the cloud 140 byindustrial automation gateway 300.

In the same way, periodic checks of local devices 330-336 can discovernewly deployed devices 330-336 and their configuration, and update thecloud model automatically. Cloud service users are then notified ofmodel changes so that they can update dashboards, reports, and analyticsas required. This operation of industrial automation gateway 300 isfurther illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 5.

Cloud communication interface 304 may include communication connectionsand devices that allow for communication with other computing systemsover a communication network or collection of networks. Cloudcommunication interface 304 may include user input and output devicesfor being controlled by a user.

Cloud communication interface 304 comprises a network card, networkinterface, port, or interface circuitry that allows industrialautomation gateway 300 to communicate over a network or networks. Cloudcommunication interface 304 may also include a memory device, software,processing circuitry, or some other device. Cloud communicationinterface 304 can use any suitable communication protocol to exchangecommunications.

Cloud communication interface 304 may include components thatcommunicate over communication links, such as network cards, ports, RFtransceivers, processing circuitry and software, or other communicationcomponents. Cloud communication interface 304 may be configured tocommunicate over electrically conductive, wireless, optical, or otherlinks.

Cloud communication interface 304 can further include components thatinteract with a user to receive user inputs and user communications andto present media and/or information. These components typically includea keyboard, display, indicator lights, speakers, touch pads, microphone,buttons, mouse, or other user input/output apparatus, includingcombinations thereof.

Industrial communication interface 306 may include communicationconnections and devices that allow for communication with othercomputing systems over a communication network or collection ofnetworks. Industrial communication interface 306 may include user inputand output devices for being controlled by a user.

Industrial communication interface 306 comprises a network card, networkinterface, port, or interface circuitry that allows industrialautomation gateway 300 to communicate over a network or networks.Industrial communication interface 306 may also include a memory device,software, processing circuitry, or some other device. Industrialcommunication interface 306 can use any suitable communication protocolto exchange communications.

Industrial communication interface 306 may include components thatcommunicate over communication links, such as network cards, ports, RFtransceivers, processing circuitry and software, or other communicationcomponents. Industrial communication interface 306 may be configured tocommunicate over electrically conductive, wireless, optical, or otherlinks.

Industrial communication interface 306 can further include componentsthat interact with a user to receive user inputs and user communicationsand to present media and/or information. These components typicallyinclude a keyboard, display, indicator lights, speakers, touch pads,microphone, buttons, mouse, or other user input/output apparatus,including combinations thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation ofindustrial automation gateway 300 in another example. In this example,industrial automation gateway 300 receives configuration update 322within dynamic software container 318, (operation 400). Dynamic softwarecontainer 318 stores configuration update 322 within hardware memory 310(operation 402). Dynamic software container 318 binds the new softwarecomponents into currently running systems within industrial automationgateway 300 without interrupting the currently running systems,(operation 404).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation ofindustrial automation gateway 300 in further example. In this example,industrial automation gateway 300 determines a current configuration ofone or more industrial automation devices 330-336 coupled withindustrial automation gateway 300 through industrial communicationinterface 306, (operation 500).

Industrial automation gateway 300 requests a configuration update forthe one or more industrial automation devices 330-336 from cloudautomation facility 150, (operation 502). Industrial automation gateway300 receives the configuration update for the one or more industrialautomation devices 330-336 from cloud automation facility 150,(operation 504). Industrial automation gateway 300 implements theconfiguration update within the one or more industrial automationdevices 330-336, (operation 506).

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for the operation ofindustrial automation gateway 300 in still another example. In thisexample, industrial automation gateway 300 determines a currentconfiguration of one or more industrial automation devices 330-336coupled with industrial automation gateway 300 through industrialcommunication interface 306, (operation 600).

Industrial automation gateway 300 detects the addition of an industrialautomation device 330-336 to the one or more industrial automationdevices 330-336, (operation 602). Industrial automation gateway 300queries the added industrial automation device 330-336 to determine itsidentity and configuration, (operation 604).

Industrial automation gateway 300 requests a configuration update forindustrial automation gateway 300 regarding the added industrialautomation device based on its identity and configuration from cloudautomation facility 150, (operation 606). Industrial automation gateway300 then transfers configuration update 322 to dynamic softwarecontainer 318 to bind the new software components into the currentlyrunning systems within industrial automation gateway 300 withoutinterrupting the currently running systems, (operation 608).

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An industrial automation gateway for autonomousdynamic provisioning comprising: a cloud communication interface coupledwith, and configured for communication with, a cloud automationfacility; and a processor coupled with the cloud communicationinterface, configured to: determine a current configuration of theindustrial automation gateway; request a configuration update from thecloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface;receive the configuration update from the cloud automation facilitythrough the cloud communication interface; and implement theconfiguration update within the industrial automation gateway.
 2. Theindustrial automation gateway of claim 1, further comprising: a dynamicsoftware container coupled with the processor, configured to: receivethe configuration update, wherein the configuration update comprises newsoftware components with additional functionality for the industrialautomation gateway; store the configuration update in a memory; and bindthe new software components into currently running systems within theindustrial automation gateway without interruption of the currentlyrunning systems.
 3. The industrial automation gateway of claim 2,further comprising: an industrial communication interface coupled with,and configured for communication with, one or more industrial automationdevices.
 4. The industrial automation gateway of claim 3, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: determine a current configuration ofthe one or more industrial automation devices; detect an addition of anindustrial automation device to the one or more industrial automationdevices; query the added industrial automation device to determine itsidentity and configuration; request a configuration update for theindustrial automation gateway regarding the added industrial automationdevice based on its identity and configuration from the cloud automationfacility through the cloud communication interface, the configurationupdate comprising new software components with additional functionalityto allow the industrial automation gateway to communicate with, andcontrol, the added industrial automation device; and transfer theconfiguration update to the dynamic software container to bind the newsoftware components into the currently running systems within theindustrial automation gateway without interruption of the currentlyrunning systems.
 5. The industrial automation gateway of claim 4,wherein the processor is further configured to: transfer the identityand configuration of the added industrial automation device to the cloudautomation facility through the cloud communication interface to updatecloud service users with information about the added industrialautomation device.
 6. The industrial automation gateway of claim 4,wherein the configuration update comprises one or more of: communicationparameters, data collection parameters, or data conditioning parameters.7. The industrial automation gateway of claim 1, further comprising: anindustrial communication interface coupled with, and configured forcommunication with, one or more industrial automation devices.
 8. Theindustrial automation gateway of claim 7, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: determine a current configuration of at least oneof the one or more industrial automation devices; request aconfiguration update for the at least one of the one or more industrialautomation devices from the cloud automation facility through the cloudcommunication interface; receive the configuration update for the atleast one of the one or more industrial automation devices from thecloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface; andimplement the configuration update within the at least one of the one ormore industrial automation devices through the industrial communicationinterface.
 9. A method for autonomous dynamic provisioning within anindustrial automation gateway comprising: determining a currentconfiguration of the industrial automation gateway; requesting aconfiguration update from a cloud automation facility through a cloudcommunication interface; receiving the configuration update from thecloud automation facility through the cloud communication interface; andimplementing the configuration update within the industrial automationgateway.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving theconfiguration update within a dynamic software container, wherein theconfiguration update comprises new software components with additionalfunctionality for the industrial automation gateway; storing theconfiguration update in a hardware memory; and binding the new softwarecomponents into currently running systems within the industrialautomation gateway without interrupting the currently running systems.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a currentconfiguration of one or more industrial automation devices coupled withthe industrial automation gateway through an industrial communicationinterface; detecting an addition of an industrial automation device tothe one or more industrial automation devices; querying the addedindustrial automation device to determine its identity andconfiguration; requesting a configuration update for the industrialautomation gateway regarding the added industrial automation devicebased on its identity and configuration from the cloud automationfacility through the cloud communication interface, the configurationupdate comprising new software components with additional functionalityto allow the industrial automation gateway to communicate with, andcontrol, the added industrial automation device; and transferring theconfiguration update to the dynamic software container to bind the newsoftware components into the currently running systems within theindustrial automation gateway without interrupting the currently runningsystems.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transferringthe identity and configuration of the added industrial automation deviceto the cloud automation facility through the cloud communicationinterface to update cloud service users with information about the addedindustrial automation device.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein theconfiguration update comprises one or more of: communication parameters,data collection parameters, or data conditioning parameters.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: determining a currentconfiguration of one or more industrial automation devices coupled withthe industrial automation gateway through an industrial communicationinterface; requesting a configuration update for the one or moreindustrial automation devices from the cloud automation facility throughthe cloud communication interface; receiving the configuration updatefor the one or more industrial automation devices from the cloudautomation facility through the cloud communication interface; andimplementing the configuration update within the one or more industrialautomation devices through the industrial communication interface. 15.One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereonprogram instructions to facilitate autonomous dynamic provisioningwithin an industrial automation gateway, wherein the programinstructions, when executed by a computing system, direct the computingsystem to at least: determine a current configuration of the industrialautomation gateway; request a configuration update from a cloudautomation facility through a cloud communication interface; receive theconfiguration update from the cloud automation facility through thecloud communication interface; and implement the configuration updatewithin the industrial automation gateway.
 16. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprisingprogram instructions, which when executed by the computing system,direct the computing system to at least: receive the configurationupdate within a dynamic software container, wherein the configurationupdate comprises new software components with additional functionalityfor the industrial automation gateway; store the configuration update ina hardware memory; and bind the new software components into currentlyrunning systems within the industrial automation system withoutinterruption of the currently running systems.
 17. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, further comprisingprogram instructions, which when executed by the computing system,direct the computing system to at least: determine a currentconfiguration of one or more industrial automation devices coupled withthe industrial automation gateway through an industrial communicationinterface; detect an addition of an industrial automation device to theone or more industrial automation devices; query the added industrialautomation device to determine its identity and configuration; request aconfiguration update for the industrial automation gateway regarding theadded industrial automation device based on its identity andconfiguration from the cloud automation facility through the cloudcommunication interface, the configuration update comprising newsoftware components with additional functionality to allow theindustrial automation gateway to communicate with, and control, theadded industrial automation device; and transfer the configurationupdate to the dynamic software container to bind the new softwarecomponents into the currently running systems within the industrialautomation gateway without interruption of the currently runningsystems.
 18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 17, further comprising program instructions, which when executedby the computing system, direct the computing system to at least:transfer the identity and configuration of the added industrialautomation device to the cloud automation facility through the cloudcommunication interface to update cloud service users with informationabout the added industrial automation device.
 19. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein theconfiguration update comprises one or more of: communication parameters,data collection parameters, or data conditioning parameters.
 20. The oneor more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, furthercomprising program instructions, which when executed by the computingsystem, direct the computing system to at least: determine a currentconfiguration of one or more industrial automation devices coupled withthe industrial automation gateway through an industrial communicationinterface; request a configuration update for the one or more industrialautomation devices from the cloud automation facility through the cloudcommunication interface; receive the configuration update for the one ormore industrial automation devices from the cloud automation facilitythrough the cloud communication interface; and implement theconfiguration update within the one or more industrial automationdevices through the industrial communication interface.